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Gents,

Another Rotary year has begun and although we have new people in new posts we still have the same challenges to face and overcome.

The focus of the Foundation Committee over the last two years has been the US $200 Million challenge and this year will be no different and as you know, we as a club have done very well, but it would appear that overall Rotarians have risen to the challenge so I thought I would give you a bit of an update on where things stand.

Since the Polio Plus program's inception in 1985, more than two billion children have received oral polio vaccine, but Rotary's work is not done: The disease has not yet been eradicated and we still need to work to support Rotary's dream of a polio-free world.

As of 25 May, Rotarians have raised about $127.4 million for Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge. These contributions will help Rotary raise $200 million to match $355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which must be completed by 30 June 2012. The resulting $555 million will directly support immunization campaigns in developing countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyze children, robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by their families. As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk. The stakes are that high.

Some of the good news is that Polio is on the decline in Nigeria, and has reported only two cases of polio in 2010, compared to 193 cases for the same period in 2009. India has reported 19 polio cases compared to 32 cases -- and none in the past five weeks. So it goes to show we are making a difference and we just need to push a little bit harder to make sure we cross the line.

There are a few ideas that the Foundation Committee have for fundraising in the coming year and we will let you know more about these in due course, but if you are able to support us in any way to help our own charity it would be much appreciated.

May I thank you all in anticipation for your continued support.

Yours in Rotary

Andrew